Girls with Grafts

On February 20th, 2003, the Station Nightclub Fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island occurred killing 100 people and injuring 230. The fire began when the band Jack Russell's Great White set off fireworks in the building which caused flames to quickly spread throughout the building. Today, we honor both the 100 that lost their lives because of the tragic event, while also honoring the survivors li...

For a burn survivor, dating and finding love after a burn injury may seem overwhelming and impossible. A ‘new normal’ may take many years to discover, and for many burn survivors, having confidence may be a skill that takes a long time to develop.  For burn survivors Dan & Nasia, this also rang true. As survivors living completely different lives in separate countries, love had not come to min...

National Burn Awareness Week, by the American Burn Association, is a week dedicated to educating and sharing information with our communities about the prevention of burns. This year, National Burn Awareness Week is held from February 5th-11th and will focus on spreading awareness of preventing scald burn injuries with the title of the week “Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire,” focusing on scald burns. A...

On December 10, 2005, Kechi was flying home for the Christmas holiday in Nigeria with 60 other high school students and close friends when the plane crashed, leaving her one of only two survivors of the crash. Kechi sustained 3rd degree burns over 65% of her body, with a 30% chance of survival. In 2007, after beginning her recovery in South Africa, Kechi was brought to America to be treated at Shr...

In addition to the difficulties that burn survivors face in physical healing after a burn injury, burn survivors require assistance with the psychological challenges they face, such as a new identity and additional challenges with scarring and hospitalization. While it is important to have psychological assistance from trained mental health professionals, peer support has been clinically proven to...

Zach Sutterfield drove early in his junior year of college in July of 2018 to visit his campus at Texas State University with plans to crash on his best friend’s couch while waiting to move into his own apartment when someone set fire to the apartment building. With 68% of his body burned, and a traumatic brain injury, Zach has spent the last four years receiving countless surgeries for his injuri...

The holiday season brings a lot of different and, at times, conflicting emotions. Why do we feel ‘grief,’ and why can grief feel more present, bigger, or deeper during this time of year? In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Harris, MSW, LICSW, about grief—in all forms. Grief, described by Webster’s Dictionary as “the pain of mind produced by loss, misfortune, injury, or evils of any kind; sorrow...

After a burn injury, burn survivors often face both emotional and physical pain that can make moving through trauma difficult. Following her burn injury, Octavia Burney’s husband decided to find her a furry friend to focus her attention on while she recovered at home alone. Marty, Octavia’s dog, became a great companion and aid in working through her trauma, and later, became an inspiration for he...

Setting a goal and visualizing his future kept Aaron Volpatti going when he burned 40% of his body at the young age of 19. Aaron’s passion and love of hockey came to what he thought would be an abrupt halt in 2005, but his determination continued, ultimately leading him to a 5-year career playing professional hockey.  In this episode, we talk with the former NHL player for the Vancouver Canucks an...

After a burn injury, many survivors and their loved ones seek to gather resources of all kinds—and for many, legal counsel is an area that may be sought out to understand if the injuries sustained warrant legal action. While there may be a lot happening for a survivor and their family during this early recovery time, many may have questions about what legal action after an injury may look like.  I...

Known for the Season of Giving— the holidays provide an opportunity to celebrate the year and show appreciation for those around us. In this season of giving, we spend time with loved ones, shopping for that perfect gift, and taking time for gratitude during the season. On the heels of Black Friday—one of the busiest shopping days of the year comes Giving Tuesday—an opportunity for people worldwid...

When John O’Leary was nine, a fire exploded, leaving him with burns on 100% of his body. Doctors gave him a 1% chance of surviving—yet he did. And after enduring months in a hospital bed and years of physical therapy, John woke up to what really matters.  Once expected to die, John now teaches others how to live. He uses his journey as a burn survivor and shares his perspective to awaken you to yo...

Brittney Horton experienced the unthinkable in 2015 when her 10-month-old, Henley Horton, climbed up onto their brick hearth and placed her hand on a glass fireplace resulting in 3rd-degree burns. Henley’s journey to recovery began a week after her accident, where she has since received two surgeries to help repair her hand. In this podcast, Brittney and Henley share their own personal stories and...

We’re talking today with Phyllida Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Face Equality International about her journey of survival, her role as a young, female leader for an international organization, and discuss areas of opportunity for support for facial equality across the globe. Phyllida shares campaigns she’s currently working on with her team, including her recent Halloween campaign highlighting...

Amber Escudero-Kontostathis is the sole survivor of a deadly lightning strike. On August 4th, Amber was advocating outside the White House for Threshold Giving, a nonprofit organization through the International Rescue Committee that helps refugees. When it began to rain, Amber and three others took cover under a tree that would later be struck by lightning. Just a few months later, Amber is now s...

For burn survivors like J.R. Martinez, telling his story to inspire was both a valuable and gratifying way to help others, and in turn, also help with his own healing. J.R. used what Phoenix Society calls the healing power of peer support that has helped thousands of burn survivors over the years.  When J.R. told his story, the local and national media listened—and his resilience, charm, and optim...

After a burn injury, burn survivors often face a lifelong journey to healing. While the burn injury itself directly impacts the life of the survivor—caregivers, family members, and loved ones that support the burn survivor also face new challenges in the new roles they have taken on.   Today we’re chatting with the Xavier’s about their story of survival, and discuss Andre’s new book, I Almost Lost...

Today’s fires burn hotter and faster in homes, with a rising number of home fire-related deaths. Nearly 2,500-3,000 deaths occur annually due to home fires, with new challenges in prevention arising in today’s world. Join us as we talk with National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy, Lorraine Carli, and Executive Chairman and Board Member of Telgian Holdi...

The journey for a burn survivor can be long and complicated, not only physically challenging but emotionally complex. Each week, your hosts, also two burn survivors, join as they talk with the burn community about prevention and advocacy and discuss their journeys to emotional and physical healing with survivors. The Girls with Grafts podcast, hosted by Amber Wilcox and Rachel Anderson, Phoenix So...